Migrant worker associations express their concern
View(s):The Voice of Migrant Workers (VoMW), an umbrella group of over 10 organisations engaged in the rights of migrant workers, has presented a set of recommendations to the government to protect Sri Lankan workers abroad.
In a statement, it said that migrant workers based in countries of destination are perhaps the most vulnerable of all. In the Gulf corridor, countries are making changes to their policies towards migrant workers as the COVID-19 infection rates increase.
“As uncertainty prevails some destination countries are contemplating amnesties while other countries are already implementing wage reductions and worker retrenchment. The question we must ask ourselves is how ready are we to respond if these migrant workers return to the country,” the statement said.
The recommendations are:
1. Each of our organisations will have one or more hotline numbers which can be shared widely, that will accept migrant workers and left-behind family concerns and refer them to the national system.
2. We urge the government to negotiate with destination countries on the following:
a. Conduct the COVID-19 antibody test on all migrant workers who are due to return to the country on completion of their contract and those deciding to take the amnesty. Those found to be infected should be given priority medical treatment and attention prior to the repatriation process, assisted by our mission and consular offices.
b. Migrants whose contracts are yet to be completed and who are infected with the COVID-19 virus, undergo the quarantine and hospitalisation period in the destination country and that they resume work at the appropriate time as advised by the healthcare authorities.
c. Migrant workers are paid their wages during the lockdown period.
d. Migrant workers are provided decent and healthy living conditions and that they can exercise social distancing and other preventive methods.
e. Mission and consular offices in destination countries set up hotline numbers and are constantly in touch with migrant workers promoting effective prevention practices.
3. The government to accept all migrant workers irrespective of their migration status (undocumented, irregular forced labour, trafficked labour, detained workers) in these stressful times and offer them assistance without discrimination or exclusion.
4. In the post-quarantine period as returnee migrant workers reunite with their families, we urge the government to make available social welfare and relief packages through the SLBFE Welfare programme.
5. Many migrant workers fall into a debt bondage trap in attempting to secure a job overseas. Their situations get worse when their wages are delayed or deducted for various reasons. We urge the government to assess their debt status and consider a waiver if they have loans with state banks.
6. We also urge the government to offer stimulus packages to people, small businesses, migrant returnees and families left behind of migrant workers based on a systematic assessment considering their living and working situations, without bias or exclusion.